Rangers sign defenseman Brendan Bell

Free agent defenseman Brendan Bell agreed to terms Tuesday on a contract with the New York Rangers.

Bell, 28, has skated in 101 career NHL games with Ottawa, Phoenix and Toronto, registering 7 goals and 28 points, along with 51 penalty minutes.

Originally a third-round pick by Toronto in the 2001 Entry Draft, he established career-highs in 2008-09 with Ottawa, tallying 6 goals and 21 points in 53 games. Bell tied for second among Senators defensemen in goals, and ranked fourth in assists and points that season.

As a rookie in 2006-07, the 6-foot-2, 211-pound Bell recorded 1 goal and 7 points in 45 contests with Toronto and Phoenix.

Last season, Bell tallied 2 goals and 11 points, along with 14 penalty minutes in 29 games with EHC Biel of the Swiss A-League. He led all team defensemen in assists and points, and tied for third on the team overall with a plus-two rating. Bell also skated in one contest with Omsk Avangard of the Kontinental Hockey League, recording 2 assists in his only appearance.